I haven’t been blogging lately. I’ve certainly missed it! But, alas, my computer died the big death. It could not be revived. And, you know how we’ve been advised to back up our data? I didn’t. So much of my writing, artwork and other materials has been lost in the digital black hole. After complaining and whining for a little while (okay, for a couple of weeks!) I decided that this was just an opportunity to start fresh. There are new stories to write. New art to create. More things to share. Right now I’m using someone else’s computer. Somewhere out there is a Macbook Pro with my name on it.
The following popped in my email this morning from ExchangeEveryday at Childcare Exchange. I love it. Hope you will too.
On January 27, historian, professor, lecturer, playwright, and filmmaker, Howard Zinn, passed away. In his autobiography, You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train, Zinn made these remarks about being hopeful:
“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places — and there are so many — where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction.
“And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”
Gullahmama Now 
Hi Miss Natalie! Lauren here. I hope you’re doing well. I’m sorry to hear about your comp crashing. I just wanted to let you know that my birthday was this passed Tuesday. The funny thing is, the episode of GGI that aired that day was “Shaina’s Birthday Party.” Although I didn’t get a chance to watch it, I still thought it was funny in an ironic way. And I knew i had to tell you. My birthday was awesome and I hope this year is full of God’s blessings and I can do His work.
I hope to hear from you soon, but take your time.
God bless,
Lauren
Hi Miss Natalie! Lauren here again. I just forgot one thing! How was your new year? I was just wondering. i hope it was a good one.
I hope to hear from you soon, but take your time
God bless,
Lauren
Hi Lauren,
the New Year is off to a quick start! We’re well!
Natalie
Hi Miss Natalie,
My name is Audrey, my family and friends call me Gigi. I am a big fan of Gullah Gullah Island. My 9 year old daughter sometimes still watches your T.V. shows on you tube. I introduced the show to her when she was around 2 years old. This is the first time I’ve visited your blog. I’ve been reading your previous post from 2009. I love the way you are sooo passionate when you talk about your family, especially your children. I have a son who is almost 24 years old. As you do, I pray for him all of the time. Sometimes I even pray with him when he comes to visit. All of your stories are wonderful uplifting and very powerful. I’ve never met you but I feel like I already know you. I miss your show. I know all of the children have grown-up and moved on, but I wish it was still on the air. God Bless You and your family. You are in my prayers.
Gigi
Hi Gigi,
Thank you so much. Sometimes all we can do for our children is pray. Thank you for yours. I recently got a new computer so will be blogging again regularly soon!
Stay in touch!
Natalie
Hi Natalie
My name is Ramiro im from Monterrey, Mexico My 3 years old daugther Fatima is a fan of Gullah Gullah Island, she watch your program on Nick Jr every day ; and always each night she ask me ” It´s Gullah Gullah begin yet” jaja she almost know all the songs and dialogs of all the show and she said Ron is her uncle . I was looking for dvds of the serie and I saw you blog and I want to say you hello.
God Bless you
Ramiro
Hi Ramiro! I love that all this time later little people are still discovering Gullah Gullah Island! Please give Fatima a hug from Uncle Ron and Aunt Natalie!
Hi Natalie! I’m Kelly, and I grew up watching your show Gullah Gullah Island! 🙂 I only discovered your blog recently. So happy I did! Anyway I’m just curious if you ever kept in touch with the kids on the show. They were all so precious! Especially the boys James, Bryan, and Armando. Me and my sister had big crushes on them hahaha. Whatever happened to them? 🙂
I’m so glad I stumbled upon your site. You and Ron were amazing on the show. Do say hi to him for me! 🙂 Anyway I’ll be a loyal reader from now on. Hope to see you update soon! Love lots, Kelly
Thanks Kelly. Been in transition, but I’ll be back on the page soon!
It’s quite long since your computer death post, but I just read it. Just wanted to say that if you still have the computer case with the hard disk in it, you can retrieve the data from it. Computers are rarely completely dead, just mostly dead, as Miracle Max will proudly attest. If you’d like me to point you toward resources to recover the “lost” data, drop me an email and I’ll be happy to help.
Consider it payback for all the years our kids enjoyed your Gullah Gullah show.
Hi! I’d love some advice on retrieval! All my art photos as well as years of writing were on that computer. Thanks for the offer! Natalie
Drop me an email at gamesgenie@gmail.com and I’ll help you troubleshoot. The mail wordpress sent me with your reply looked like it went to a generic noreply address. I tried to reply to it, but I don’t think you got it.